BJP leader Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in today as India’s Prime Minister during a grand event in the national capital. Following two successive terms with significant mandates, Modi, a prominent figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party, will now lead a coalition government. The ceremony will be attended by a multitude of foreign dignitaries, including several heads of neighboring countries.
Despite emerging as the largest single party in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP fell short of a simple majority by 32 seats, securing 240 seats in total.
Modi’s third term will lean on the support of his allies within the National Democratic Alliance, particularly N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, whose parties collectively won 28 Lok Sabha seats.
The oath-taking ceremony for Modi and his council of ministers is scheduled to take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:15 pm, with approximately 8,000 attendees from various spheres of society.
Key highlights of Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony:
1. Notable heads of state expected to attend include Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu, Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius’ Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
2. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the leaders’ attendance underscores India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision.
3. Previous oath-taking events saw the presence of leaders from SAARC and BIMSTEC nations in 2014 and 2019, respectively.
4. Modi’s third term aligns him with Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of serving as Prime Minister three times after completing two full terms.
5. Stringent security measures are in place in the capital, with a no-fly zone declared for June 9th and 10th and extensive traffic management efforts.
6. Intensive discussions between BJP leaders and allies are ongoing regarding cabinet appointments, with potential candidates from parties like Telugu Desam Party, JD(U), and Shiv Sena.
7. Speculations arise from the opposition regarding the longevity of Modi’s coalition government, with the Congress party cautioning against complacency.
8. Post-ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu will host a banquet for the visiting dignitaries.
9. Opposition leader KC Venugopal expressed a lack of information regarding the ceremony from the government’s side.
10.Narendra Modi’s swearing-in marks a significant moment in Indian politics, with implications both domestically and internationally.